U.S. patent number 4,496,341 [Application Number 06/367,167] was granted by the patent office on 1985-01-29 for apparatus for vaginal medication application.
Invention is credited to Anton B. Brucks.
United States Patent |
4,496,341 |
Brucks |
January 29, 1985 |
Apparatus for vaginal medication application
Abstract
Apparatus is disclosed which may be utilized to package vaginal
medication and may also be utilized in the application of such
medication. The apparatus includes a flexible tubular membrane with
an open end and a closed end. The closed end is axially depressed
into the tubular membrane and forms a cavity into which the
medication is placed. During packaging, a sealing cap is placed
over the cavity and encloses the cavity and the medication. To
utilize the apparatus for application of medication, the tubular
membrane is slipped over a hollow tubular applicator and a piston
member is inserted into the hollow tubular applicator. The piston
member is utilized to outwardly extend the closed end of the
tubular membrane and dispense the medication. After utilization,
the tubular membrane is removed from the hollow tubular applicator
and may be disposed of, thus preserving the sanitary condition of
the applicator.
Inventors: |
Brucks; Anton B. (Dallas,
TX) |
Family
ID: |
23446167 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/367,167 |
Filed: |
April 12, 1982 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/14; 604/15;
D24/141 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M
31/007 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61M
31/00 (20060101); A61F 015/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;604/14-18,49,54,55 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Yasko; John D.
Assistant Examiner: Vinyard; Sherri
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Hubbard, Thurman, Turner &
Tucker
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Apparatus for use in the repetitive intravaginal application of
medication comprising:
a reversable hollow tubular member suitable for vaginal
insertion;
a separate, disposable flexible tubular membrane having a closed
end and an open end and adapted to be disposed in sleeved
relationship with and along the exterior surface of said hollow
tubular member covering substantially all of said hollow tubular
member, said closed end adapted to be axially depressed into a
first end of said hollow tubular member wherein a cavity is formed
within said first end of said hollow tubular member for receiving
medication; and
a piston member, adapted to be inserted into a second end of said
hollow tubular member for outwardly extending said closed end of
said tubular membrane whereby said medication may be dispensed
without contamination of said hollow tubular member and said piston
member.
2. The apparatus for use in the repetitive intravaginal application
of medication according to claim 1 wherein said tubular member is
constructed of plastic.
3. The apparatus for use in the repetitive intravaginal application
of medication according to claim 1 wherein said flexible tubular
membrane is constructed of a thin pliable plastic film.
4. The apparatus for use in the repetitive intravaginal application
of medication according to claim 3 wherein said flexible tubular
membrane is constructed of a thin polyethylene film.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to methods and apparatus for
packaging and dispensing vaginal medications and in particular to
methods and apparatus for packaging and dispensing vaginal
medications which provide a higher degree of sanitation than
previously known methods and apparatus.
Known methods of intravaginal application of medication typically
consist of a hollow tubular applicator with an internal piston. The
medication is inserted into the hollow applicator and dispensed by
means of the internal piston in the manner of a large, crude
hypodermic syringe. The applicators are generally constructed of
plastic or cardboard materials. The cardboard applicators are
typically disposable and are only utilized once. Plastic
applicators are reusable and must be carefully cleaned after each
application to prevent reinfection or contagion. The difficulty
associated with the proper cleaning of such reusable applicators
and the distaste with which most patients view this procedure are
primarily responsible for a marked tendency among patients to
discontinue utilization of the medication prematurely. This
practice often results in the incomplete treatment of a problem
which flares up again soon after treatment is discontinued.
Additionally, it is common for a patient to suffer reinfection due
to the incomplete disinfection of the applicator after each
utilization.
Thus, when utilizing known vaginal medication applicators, a
tradeoff must be made between the increased cost associated with
disposable applicators and the high risk of infection and contagion
associated with reusable applicators.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide an
improved method and apparatus for dispensing vaginal
medication;
it is another object of the invention to provide an improved,
low-cost reusable apparatus for dispensing vaginal medications;
it is yet another object of the present invention to provide an
improved, reusable apparatus for dispensing vaginal medication
which significantly lowers the probability of infection or
contagion;
it is another object of the present invention to provide an
improved method of packaging vaginal medications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set
forth in the appended claims. The invention itself; however, as
well as a preferred mode of use, further objects and advantages
thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following
detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the improved vaginal
medication application apparatus of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the improved vaginal medication
application apparatus of the present invention with a vaginal
suppository therein;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the improved vaginal medication
application apparatus of the present invention, after dispensing a
vaginal suppository; and
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the improved vaginal medication
packaging apparatus of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With reference now to the figures, and in particular with reference
to FIG. 1, there is depicted an exploded perspective view of the
improved vaginal medication application apparatus of the present
invention. The improved vaginal medication application apparatus
consists of a hollow tubular member 10 which may be constructed of
any known material which provides suitable rigidity to permit
vaginal insertion. Examples of suitable materials include cardboard
materials, polystyrene polyethylene, polypropylene or any other
known plastic material. Hollow tubular applicator 10 encloses
piston means 12 which is adapted to be inserted into one end of
hollow tubular applicator 10 and is utilized to dispense the
selected vaginal medication.
One important aspect of the present invention is the utilization of
tubular membrane 14 which is a thin, pliable tubular membrane which
is adapted to be mounted in sleeved relationship with tubular
applicator 10. Membrane 14 may be constructed of any material known
to those skilled in the art such as a thin pliable plastic film, a
latex rubber based material or a suitably impregnated paper based
material. In a preferred embodiment, membrane 14 is constructed of
a thin polyethylene film. Tubular membrane 14 includes an open end
16 and a closed end 18. Tubular membrane 14 is mounted in sleeved
relationship with tubular applicator 10 and covers substantially
the entire length of tubular applicator 10. Once tubular membrane
14 is disposed in sleeved relationship with tubular applicator 10,
closed end 18 of tubular membrane 14 may be axially depressed,
providing a cavity into which the vaginal medication, such as
vaginal suppository 20 may be inserted.
With reference now to FIG. 2, there is depicted a sectional view of
the novel vaginal medication application apparatus of the present
invention. Tubular applicator 10 is shown with piston means 12
inserted therein. Tubular membrane 14 is depicted as disposed in
sleeved relationship to tubular applicator 10 with the open end 16
of tubular membrane 14 positioned near the end of tubular
applicator 10, so that tubular membrane 14 covers substantially the
entire length of tubular applicator 10. Closed end 18 of tubular
membrane 14 is axially depressed into the open end of tubular
applicator 10, forming a cavity 22 into which the desired
medication may be inserted. Cavity 22, formed by the axial
depression of closed end 18 of tubular membrane 14, is suitable to
receive a selected amount of a selected vaginal medication, in
cream, lotion or suppository form as depicted in FIG. 2.
Referring now to FIG. 3, there is depicted a sectional view of the
novel vaginal medication application apparatus of the present
invention Piston means 12 is depicted after having been inserted
fully into tubular applicator 10. Piston means 12, after insertion
into tubular applicator 10 will outwardly extend closed end 18 of
tubular membrane 14, thus expelling vaginal suppository 20. After
utilization, tubular membrane 14 may be removed from hollow tubular
applicator 10 and discarded, thus preventing possible reinfection
or contagion upon subsequent utilizations of tubular applicator 10.
In this manner, tubular applicator 10 may be constructed of a
material which would not ordinarily be utilized in a reusable
applicator, in that the sanitary condition of tubular applicator 10
may be maintained without requiring traditional disinfecting
techniques.
Referring now to FIG. 4, there is depicted one embodiment of a
novel apparatus for the packaging of intravaginal medication,
utilizing the tubular membrane 14 of the present invention.
Membrane 14 has been depicted having a greater cross-section than
would ordinarily be utilized, merely for illustrative purposes. As
discussed above, tubular membrane 14 includes an open end 16 and a
closed end 18. Closed end 18 is axially depressed within tubular
membrane 14 to form a suitable cavity into which the vaginal
medication may be placed. When utilized as a packaging base for
vaginal medication, the apparatus will also include sealing means
24, which may be a plastic, paper, or latex rubber based sealing
cap which completely encloses vaginal medication 20 within a
sanitary cavity, thus enhancing the sanitary condition of the
medication as it is received by the consumer.
Although the invention has been described with reference to a
specific embodiment, this description is not meant to be construed
in a limiting sense. Various modifications of this disclosed
embodiment as well as alternative embodiments of the invention will
become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the
description of the invention. It is therefore contemplated that the
appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments
that fall within the true scope of the invention.
* * * * *